“Simply
love Leslie Wolfe! The
Baxter-Holt series is one of the
best in the genre! This was a
great story that kept me on the edge of my seat the entire
time. Cannot wait until
the next one, Las Vegas Crime,
coming in November. Keep writing
them, Leslie!”

Detectives
Laura Baxter and Jack Holt are
members of the elite: Las Vegas Metro PD, one of the toughest and
most respected law enforcement agencies in the United States. In the
middle of a city with two million residents and 43 million annual
visitors, they’re searching for a missing girl and the ruthless
killers who snatched her.

The
girl: gone

When a teenage
girl is daringly kidnapped from her school, minutes after being
dropped off, a frenzied search begins, involving the entire police
force of a city that never sleeps. But for Detectives
Baxter and Holt this isn’t a
crime like any other; it is personal.

The
crimes: terrifying

A bold and
merciless serial killer preys on young girls and leaves them out to
die in the cold and dreadful expanse of the Mojave Desert, unable to
move, to scream, to fight for their lives.

The
choice: impossible

Now Detective
Holt is faced with an agonizing
decision: he can sacrifice all that he holds dear or jeopardize the
life of an innocent girl, his own flesh and blood. The man holding
all the cards in this game of life and death isn’t willing to
negotiate; he’s only willing to kill.

In
Las Vegas, few things end well.

Two
mavericks form an intriguing team. Baxter and Holt trust each other
with their lives, just not with their secret plans.

Leslie
Wolfe is a bestselling author whose novels break the mold of
traditional thrillers. She creates unforgettable, brilliant, strong
women heroes who deliver fast-paced, satisfying suspense, backed up
by extensive background research in technology and psychology.

Leslie
released the first novel, Executive,
in October 2011. It was very well received, including inquiries from
Hollywood. Since then, Leslie published numerous novels and enjoyed
growing success and recognition in the marketplace. Among Leslie’s
most notable works, The Watson Girl
(2017) was recognized for offering a unique insight into the mind of
a serial killer and a rarely seen first person account of his
actions, in a dramatic and intense procedural thriller.

In the Midst of Winter shares ways to cope for those suffering from misunderstood chronic illnesses, and a glimpse into our daily lives for those who wish to understand. It also testifies of the Savior’s ability to reach into each heart and bring hope and renewal.

At age fourteen, Danice Hope started having troubles functioning during the winter months. Each year, the fatigue and depression grew worse. During the summers, her health would improve, and she learned to fit as much joy into life as possible before winter returned. After six years, she was finally diagnosed with seasonal affective disorder. Over time, she realized that there was also beauty in winter. She found a poster with flowers growing out of the snow that said, “In the midst of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer.”

In the mid 1990’s, Danice moved south to Arizona with the hope of improving her health enough to have a better life. While the SAD improved, she found herself developing new health problems. The biggest surprise was that she could be sitting slumped over in a wheelchair in the emergency room, barely able to speak or move, and doctor after doctor told her that she wasn’t ill, or that it was “just anxiety”. After going to twenty-four different doctors in the next year, she was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome. Stunned at the loss of her hopes and dreams, she gradually learned to see in new ways, to balance her health, to reshape her dreams, and to look to Christ. She learned that flowers can grow not only in the snow, but also in the desert sun.

Danice Hope has been married to the same loving, supportive husband for 26 years. They live in the deserts of the American Southwest, where the winters are mild. Their two lovable cats keep them busy.

Danice loved to roam the mountains of Utah in her younger years, and to see the variety of wildflowers each spring. She has enjoyed writing since she was old enough to write. She takes solace in reading the scriptures and other good books. She is grateful for God’s care and guidance through the distresses of life.

One night, as I watched a Christian channel, I heard some intriguing ideas about different ways of healing. A doctor pointed out that Jesus heals in different ways. In Mark the blind man was healed by Jesus’ word. In John 9 the people thought that the man was blind due to sin. But Jesus said that it was so “that the works of God should be made manifest in him,” (verse 3). Then Jesus anointed the man’s eyes with clay and spittle and told him to go wash in the pool of Siloam. And the man “went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing,” (verse 7).

The doctor pointed out that our pathway to healing can be through a single miracle or it can come through our own pathway that Jesus can show to us: whether through vitamins and medicines or some other way. We don’t have to feel guilty when people claim that we must not have enough faith if we aren’t instantly healed. It takes faith to follow Jesus’ plan for us. “With his stripes we are healed,” Mosiah 14:5.

In death she found life.Florence Sterling should be perfectly happy. She’s been given a second chance at life with her beloved husband. But all is not well. She yearns for more children, even though Alex is reluctant. Memories of the day she and her baby were murdered still haunt her. And she can’t shake the feeling she will be separated from Alex again.

As if in confirmation of her premonition, Alex is called on a dangerous mission to enlist America’s aid in WWII. Trying to distract herself, Florence investigates what really happened when her son died. As she searches, she becomes convinced her son is alive, although witnesses say otherwise. And with each clue she discovers, she unwittingly draws closer to her old enemy—the deranged woman who will stop at nothing to destroy her.

When Alex goes missing in action, Florence must reach deeply into her faith as she faces her greatest fears. If Alex is lost to the war, will she allow herself to love another man and fulfill her desire to have a family? Or will she remain alone the rest of her life?

Book one in this series WON the bronze medal with the Readers’ Favorite International competition

Marcia was born and raised in Argentina during the military regime which ended with the loss of many young lives in the invasion of the Falkland Islands. Amidst the devastating effects of military government and war, reading and writing became a passion which expanded and transported her imagination with the possibility of a brighter future.

At the age of eighteen, she moved to the United States, where she studied English and started her own family. She soon discovered that the love she has for her husband and children would naturally unfold towards her European roots, leading her to become a genealogist and family historian. A decade of searching, compiling, and learning the stories of thousands of people has instilled in her a profound gratitude for the strong ties that can be achieved in families through personal sacrifice.

So it is that through fiction, Shadows of Time duology (Awaken, Shadows of a Forgotten Past and Alive, Shadows of a Living Past) explores and exposes the characteristics of true love and loyalty in times of fear, war, and finally, death. But perhaps the most captivating element in the story is the battle within the souls of the main characters as they search to know who they really are and how they are connected.

HEATHER TULLIS has been reading romance for as long as she can remember and has been publishing in the genre since 2009. She has published more than twenty books.

When she’s not dreaming up new stories to write, or helping out with her community garden, she enjoys playing with her dogs and cat, cake decorating, trying new jewelry designs, inventing new ways to eat chocolate, and hanging out with her husband.

Jonah Owens thought moving to Echo Ridge to open his art gallery would solve all of his problems. The need to sell his grandma’s house adds an unexpected complication. It would be easier if his neighbor didn’t have all those farm animals.

Kaya Feidler’s family has owned their land for nearly a hundred years–long before the neighbors were there. There’s no way she’s giving up the animal therapy business she’s been struggling to make profitable. She gets a temp job helping Jonah in the gallery.

Spending time together is a recipe for romance, but can they overcome their own hangups to be more than friends?

Jonah picked at a piece of shredded
lettuce on his sandwich. “I’d do anything for my grandma. Besides, I love it
here, and I was ready for a change. A complete change.” He’d been dragging
around trying to paint post-Janet. This was a fresh start in many ways.

“She said you haven’t painted anything in a long time.” Kaya’s words
were hesitant, as though she wanted to ask, but didn’t want to pry.

“I hit a wall.” He paused. It felt wrong to gloss it over with Kaya,
though he didn’t know why. He went with the impulse. “I was dating someone
seriously. When it ended, I found I could only paint dark stuff. Stuff I
wouldn’t buy or hang, and definitely wouldn’t sell. I tried working through it,
but I tried so hard to paint things I wasn’t feeling that I ended up not being
able to paint at all. Nothing remotely good, anyway. Technically correct, but
not emotionally true at all, so I had to stop. The gallery is sort of my backup
plan.” It had taken a long time for him to admit it was what he had to do.

Former action-movie star Chet has counted the days since he lost his wife last New Year’s Eve almost a year ago. When he’s given a shot at starring in a reboot of her favorite TV show, he jumps at it. But there’s a catch: the producers won’t hire him unless he can prove he’s regained emotional stability—by bringing a steady girlfriend to his five auditions.

Which means: five mandatory dates for this bereft widower.

Social worker Holly lost her fiancé to war. With his good life snuffed out too soon, she feels compelled to finish his bucket list of unselfish deeds. But four years later, several remain, and they’re ridiculously impossible. Until she accomplishes her soldier’s dreams, she can’t even consider moving on with her life.

When they meet on the beach at Getaway Bay, what she doesn’t know is homeless-looking mourner Chet is actually Colt Winchester, screen star and fashion icon. What he doesn’t know is that he’s a means to an end.

When their walls start to crumble on their Christmas season dates, can these two find love again, or will they forever be chasing ghosts?”

“Excuse me.” A server approached with a silver platter covered with frosted sugar cookies. “Would you care for a cookie?”

“Who says no to a sugar cookie?” Holly took two—a star and a snowman. “Thank you.” One bite of the star’s vanilla-almond buttercream frosting sent her mouth into ecstasy.

“These are good,” Chet ate his green-frosted Christmas tree in two bites.

“Did you try the snowman?” The frosting of her second cookie melted into a sweet coconutty heaven on her tongue. “Mmm. It’s childhood in a sugary bite.”

“Do you bake?” He spoke through a mouthful. “Mmm. Cookies are love.”

Chet caught Holly off guard. He hadn’t seemed like the type to make such a tender analogy.

“Ah, sometimes. And you’re right. Especially sugar cookies. They require so many steps I always just buy them.” She never made them. Not even for Rick. “The only thing that could motivate a person to make them is love of the recipients of the cookies.”

“That,” Chet said, “or a deep love of sugar cookies.”

“Gluttony could also be a motivator.”

“Where’s that platter? We should get more of those.” Spoken like a true hungry person.

Holly had never experienced true hunger, at least not physical hunger. Maybe Chet needed more cookies.

“If we walk around, we might run into the sugar cookie person again.” Or someone with another kind of food, if Chet needed it. However, tonight, Chet seemed a lot less like a guy who needed to fish to feed himself than he had the other day.

They walked toward a table with chairs and sat down. Chet reached across the table and took her by both hands. “I think girlfriend is right for now.”

Girlfriend. Holly stared down at their clasped hands atop the green velvet tablecloth. His were rough, like they’d held a fishing rod in the sun for a lot of hours, day after day. She’d seen him on the shore.

“So that makes you my boyfriend.” The word sounded younger than she felt. The last four years had aged her. Against her collarbone, Rick’s unused wedding ring heated up again. “You work fast.”

The
first exciting novel in a brand-new series from New
York Times bestselling
author C. C. Hunter!

Her
dad’s job is with the dead . . . and he’s bringing his work home
with him.

Once
again, seventeen-year-old Riley Smith is the new kid in school and
her dad’s career has her back to being dubbed a freak. Truth is,
she’s a much bigger freak than her classmates think. The only
company she keeps these days is the dead who follow Dad home from
work. She can see them. She can speak to them. And Fate seems to
think she can help them solve their last problems so that they can
move on to the other side. Which is odd, because with the loss of her
mother and her father’s alcoholism, she’s got enough problems of
her own.

But
nothing could prepare her for the next tormented young spirit who
darkens Riley’s door. The young woman’s death wasn’t the
accident everyone believes. Soon Riley finds herself face-to-face
with the killer and her only protection comes in the form of another
spirit, Hayden, a boy her age with a heart-melting smile and
understanding eyes that make her feel safe. If she can escape
becoming the killer’s next victim, Riley knows she’ll have to
help Hayden move on too, but what if she can’t let him go?

For
thrills, chills, romance and laughter, buy The
Mortician’s Daughter: One Foot in the Gravetoday.

Praise
for C. C. Hunter’s Shadow Falls series:

“C.
C. Hunter has an amazing talent to make you laugh, cry, and laugh
again all in the same chapter!” —Crossroad
Review

“Jam-packed
with action and romance . . . Hunter’s lifelike characters and
paranormal creatures populate a plot that will keep you guessing till
the very end. A perfect mesh of mystery, thriller, and romance.”
—Romantic
Timeson Taken
at Dusk

Riley
has accepted that her special gift is to help dead people with their
unfinished business. But she never thought she’d be tasked
with helping the spirit of a convicted criminal who died in prison.
He may lead her on the scariest mission yet, but helping him
could mean saving the life of a child. The convict’s daughter
needs a liver transplant and the one person who could still be a
match is his brother…who also happens to be a gang
leader.

Hayden’s
not happy that Riley’s discovered who he is and is seeing him sick
and unconscious in his hospital bed. This feels like as good a
time as ever to cross over and put all of them out of their
misery….but Riley is in danger. She’s visiting some of the
most dangerous spots and confronting some of the creepiest low-lifes
in town. For her, he’ll need to regain his strength and fight
to keep her safe.

But
dealing with other people’s problems still can’t keep Riley from
her own. Her dad’s drinking has gotten worse. And
she’ll soon learn it’s because he’s been keeping a huge,
horrible secret that will change everything she believes about her
family and her mother’s death.

C.C. Hunter is the New
York Times bestselling author of over thirty-five books, including
her wildly popular Shadow Falls and Shadow Falls: After Dark series.
In addition to winning numerous awards and rave reviews for her
novels, C.C. is also a photojournalist, motivational speaker, and
writing coach. In February 2018, Wednesday Books will publish her
contemporary young adult and hardcover debut, This Heart of Mine.
And the first book of her new paranormal young adult series, The
Mortician’s Daughter: One Foot in the Grave will release on October
31st 2017. C. C. currently resides in Texas with her husband,
junkyard dog, Lady, and whatever wild creatures that meander out
from woods surrounding home.

–From a scene in which unbeknownst
to Scrooge, Marley’s spirit has accompanied Scrooge and the Ghost of
Christmas Present to the marketplace:

At that moment, an urchin of no more than five stood before the trio. Whether she could not see Marley and Scrooge, or whether she simply paid them no mind, it could not be discerned, but there was no question she saw the ghost, as she surveyed his entire wardrobe and stared with delight into his face. The spirit smiled
down at her. He took his cornucopia torch and tipped it above her head, which
caused a soundless waterfall of glistening sparkles, like a thousand miniature
sprites, that seemed to flow into the girl as they touched her.

“Spirit,” asked Jacob, “why does she see you?”

“I cannot stop her. It is not that I choose to reveal myself to her, but I am revealed by her purity. She sees me because her eyes are not shrouded with doubt or hate,
fear or selfishness or greed. Her heart is innocent, and her eyes are an
extension of that heart. My mission is the goodness of man in this season, and
I cannot keep it from her.”

“Do all the children see you?”

“No, just the ones whose spirits are so remarkable, they tend to live in both
worlds.”

“And what is that with which you christened her?”

“Joy, that it might fill her needs a bit.”

Marley seemed troubled. “She does not look like she needs joy. I think she needs
food—and clothing.”

“Look about you,” said the spirit more sternly. “Do you see food?”

Marley again took in the array of fruits and vegetables and nuts and plants of all
kinds. “I do, Spirit. So much that to feed this little one even all she could
swallow would not make a noticeable scratch on this abundance.”

“And do you see people?” There were men and women and children bustling about, wishing each other the greatest merriment of the day and generally enjoying the
morning.

“I do, Spirit, many.”

“And what number of that many are stooping down to offer one bite, or perhaps an old shawl they would never miss, to this poor girl?”

Jacob noticed that the crowds seemed completely oblivious to the child, walking
around her and even bumping her at times, looking down only to see what
inconvenience they had stepped on and, upon finding it to be only an urchin
girl, looking back up to continue their conversations, never missing a word.
“None,” Jacob confessed. “Not one seems to notice her.”

“They all could, Jacob, if they chose. But they seem not to care. So, in this, I provide
a little to give her what they may not.”

“But if she is hungry, why not give her all she needs?”

“Do not think that a spirit does not have a kind heart! For we do. I ache for her
needs. But if I were to give her food and clothing and a home, what would be
required of you?”

Audria Rylatt is the school system’s liaison for homeless students. She strives to make Christmas bright for hundreds, while the season brings only heartache after her fiancé was killed in combat nearly two years ago. So when her family decides to play matchmaker, she is less than thrilled. To make matters worse, they’ve invited a soldier friend of her deceased fiancé to the family cabin for the holiday.

But she’s surprised to find this soldier, Quinton Nolan, standing at the door of heart. Faced with painful memories, the despair Christmas brings her, and the fear to love again, Audria is in desperate need of a Christmas miracle. Or at least some of the hope Christmas seems to offer so many. Can she embrace a new mission? If so, Christmas may stand to deliver a lifetime of magical memories.

“Christmas on a Mission” is a delightful story of hope, life, love, and second chances, filled with all the joy and cheer Christmas brings.”

She pulled Perry onto her lap and rubbed around his ears until he began to doze. Soon, Gatlinburg faded, and the asphalt roads turned to gravel. They began to wind and curve upward, higher and higher until her ears popped. She yawned to relieve the pressure and watched as the evergreen trees grew thicker with each turn. Freshly fallen snow perched on their limbs. A cardinal darted low, his crimson feathers a delightful sharp contrast against the patches of snow. He

followed along the car for no more than a heartbeat and then flew back to his home high in the treetops. She smiled and let the mountains welcome her back.

The family cabin peeked from its hill, the green roof laden with snow–a Christmas card scene come to life.

It had been two years since she’d seen this place. Two years since she let the hills hold her and speak solace to her soul. This was where she felt closest to God. Why had she stayed away? Why had she not drawn near?

Tension melted from her shoulders, the driest patches of her soul thirsted and craved the respite so near. Two years was too long.

So much had happened.

Parts of her had grown and mended…yet…not all.

But she was back, drawing near, and the thought was at once was both terrifying and exhilarating.

Through a crazy twist of fate, Caroline Clemmons was not born on a Texas ranch. To compensate for this illogical error, she writes about handsome cowboys, feisty ranch women, and scheming villains in a small office her family calls her pink cave.

She and her Hero live in North Central Texas cowboy country where they ride herd on their rescued cats and dogs. The books she creates there have made her an Amazon bestselling author and won several awards.

When a dot com billionaire crashes his sports car into a tree, he wakes up in heaven facing angels Gabriel and Michael. He’s given a chance to redeem his carefree ways by helping an orphanage avoid foreclosure and regain a sound financial picture by midnight on Christmas Eve—or else. To do so, he is sent back to earth as orphanage janitor, Jacob Porter.

After her father died four months ago, child psychologist Suzi Stephens was shocked to learn Serenity Springs Children’s Home and Elementary School faced foreclosure unless she met a balloon note due January 1. She can’t understand why her late father broke the trust her grandfather had carefully constructed to protect the private home. She is afraid the annual gala won’t raise enough money to pay the note much less the needed year’s operating funds. Trying to do her job plus step into her late father’s shoes has stretched her to her limits.

She’s suspicious of the handsome new janitor, who appears more like he’d be at home as a CEO. Could he be a spy for the developer who covets the children’s home property? Suzi overcomes her distrust enough to allow Jacob’s help raising funds. Working together, their attraction escalates but Jacob has nothing to offer the beautiful redhead. He is scheduled for earthly removal at midnight on December 24.

Over
the years, Jacob had forgotten how frightened he and Mike had been as kids.
He’d pushed those recollections to the back of his mind in favor of successes.
Being around the children here rekindled memories of that time. Their worst
fear had been being separated.

Their company—the
one he founded—had been a struggle at first but then had taken off. Within
three years, they were multi-millionaires then billionaires. No one was more
surprised than Jacob. He’d been ultra-cautious for a few years, afraid
something would snatch success away from him.

One day, he’d
realized he had investments and backups and even if he lost half, he’d still be
wealthy. That’s when he’d begun to live the good life. More level-headed,
frequently Mike had cautioned him to limit his excesses.

Mike had said
they shouldn’t have planes, didn’t need as many cars, and one house each was
enough. He’d been right, of course. Here Jacob had none of those things. At
least he’d been there, done that, and had experienced the exhilaration success
inspired.

Now he had a
different challenge. He sure hoped he was up for this one. There was no failing
this time without dire repercussions.

When
Brie’s stepfather moves the family for what he calls a new
beginning, it’s not the new beginning the beautiful, yet guarded,
senior would have hoped for. Brie is instantly targeted by jealous
girls at her new school, and the only available seat on her bus is
next to the school’s star wide receiver, Jake, who for some reason,
finds her offensive. After a humiliating article and picture of Brie
is posted in the online school journal, a demon she thought she’d
overcome resurfaces, and her life unravels. A newly compassionate
Jake has finally taken an interest in her, but can Brie learn to
trust her heart, or will she miss out on the best thing that ever
happened to her?

Jake
has his own secrets and has built his own walls, but eventually his
curiosity about the new girl gets the best of him. Unfortunately, now
there is competition: the captain of her cross-country team. Jake’s
romantic histories with the girl next door and the school’s queen
bee, adds tension to a simmering tempest when all he wants is Brie.
Is he strong enough to help the one he loves weave sense into her
crumbling new reality while overcoming his own tainted past?

Peyton
is a secondary ed teacher in Maryland and an author of young adult
fiction. Her newest novel, Sublime Karma, is an edgy contemporary YA
story with diverse characters that addresses real teen issues such as
fitting in, cliques, bullying, self harm, and suicide. Sublime Karma
has themes that may not be appropriate for tweens and younger
teens.

The
Sublime Karma manuscript won third place in the Young Adult category
of 2015 Lone Star Writing Contest – Northwest Houston Romance Writers
of America.

Tamara Passey, author of the The Christmas Tree Keeper: A Novel, was born and raised in Massachusetts around a large family, one that has served as inspiration for most of her writing. She loves most creative endeavors and when she isn’t writing or re-writing, you can find her baking or cross-stitching or walking–though not all at the same time. She lives with her husband and children in Arizona.

Scrooge is mean, Marley is a ghost. This isn’t the best setup for a
Christmas story. Were you writing this for Halloween or something? Also, why do
you call your chapters staves? Whatever. I’m just glad they’re short.

Peggy is a small town girl who loves the city and the ocean (and the mountains as long as she doesn’t have to camp or hike).

She credits her dad and the lack of television in her parents’ home for her love of reading and her imagination. She credits the guy who’s been hanging the moon for over 25 years for her belief in romance and true love. Five wonderful children, extended family, and great friends keep life exciting.

“A Christmas engagement, broken two months later, rocked Candy Kaine’s world. After months of a schedule crammed with college courses, a full time job, and a few side jobs, the busyness is wearing thin. But school is still top priority. Until a fancy resort threatens to buy the satellite campus in the small town where she lives and takes classes.

Jace Marlowe has been down on his luck. Can a temporary job for an upscale resort in his home town be the turn around he’s looking for? The only problem? His grandmother’s beautiful neighbor who wants to keep the school just where it is. If she doesn’t get her way will she be as vindictive as his ex?

A charmed nativity facilitates the past, present, and future experiences for Candy but will she have the courage to open her heart before it’s too late?”

Arabella Sheraton grew up on a diet of Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters, and many other writers of that period. From Jane Austen to Georgette Heyer, Arabella has found both enjoyment and inspiration in sparkling, witty Regency novels. She also loves history and generally finds the past more fascinating than the future. Arabella wrote her first Regency romance to entertain her aged mom who loved the genre. Arabella is honoured to share the adventures of her heroes and heroines with readers.

In this delightful traditional Regency romance, Miss Diana Dashwood accepts an invitation to Lady Prescott’s Christmas party at Camden House, in the countryside. But things do not go quite as she imagined. Through an unexpected event, she is forced to spend the night in a woodsman’s hut with one of the guests. What a scandal!

Of course, Sir Gareth Blakely must propose, and he does. Unfortunately, Miss Diana Dashwood has already been engaged to and broken off her engagement from Sir Gareth Blakely after a bitter quarrel. Is it likely she will bow to social pressure and accept his proposal, one made only to save her reputation, and if they marry, does their union stand a chance of survival?

And what about the pretty heiress, Miss Jemima Plymstock, whom everyone thinks is the lady Sir Gareth had his eye upon? Headstrong and proud, Miss Diana Dashwood is caught in a dreadful dilemma. A must-read for Regency fans!

Diana stepped into the carriage as if hypnotized and sat next to Miss Plymstock. “What are you going to do to me?” she asked.

Mr. Rundle put on an expression of exaggerated surprise while Miss Taggart giggled behind one black-gloved hand. He stroked his beard.

“My dear Miss Dashwood, you are so imaginative. You make me sound like a villain in these romantic novels so popular with young ladies nowadays. I am going to do nothing to you. You will witness the marriage, along with Miss Taggart. I will begin my honeymoon with my lovely young bride, and the carriage will return you to town. Then you will, no doubt, make your way back to London and forget all about Jemima.”

He gave a leering wink.

“She will be too busy learning her new marital duties as Mrs. Rundle to keep up any acquaintance with you.”

He knocked on the roof of the carriage to signal the driver. Miss Plymstock moaned but did not wake. Diana looked out of the carriage window as the horses gained speed.

What have I done? I was a fool not to wait for Mr. Whittaker. Oh, Gareth, if only you were here.

Laura L. Walker grew up in a large family in the beautiful Gila Valley of southern Arizona. From the time Laura was young, she spent hours drawing characters on paper and fantasizing about their adventures. Life became more serious, however, when she met her own hero at Northern Arizona University and they later became the parents of six children.

In between spurts of grocery shopping, sewing costumes or quilts, transporting kids to practices, and making dinner, Laura still enjoys putting her imagination to good use. She is the author of seven novels and three novellas.

“Nineteen-year-old Felicity Everstone is living her dream while attending college and serving alongside her parents in the North Atlanta Georgia Mission for the LDS Church–not to mention dating a charming guy who sweeps her off her feet. But when she is unexpectedly sent home to Idaho to care for her nephew through her sister-in-law’s difficult pregnancy, and the friend she has been sharing the gospel with no longer wants to pursue that path, everything that once brought light and joy into her life nearly flickers out. Until she meets her good-looking but solemn neighbor, Erik.

Erik Cannon has already lost the love of his life. Now, as a young, successful businessman, making money seems to be his God-given talent, but he can no longer ignore the emptiness he feels inside. He needs to find purpose and meaning in his life once again. When his best friend’s sister comes to help her family through a crisis, Erik’s heart is reawakened. He senses this is a second chance at love for him, and that he and Felicity might be able to build a beautiful life together–until her old boyfriend comes back into the picture.

When darkness settles over Erik and Felicity’s path, will their emerging love be enough to light the way?”

Felicity was elbow-deep in a sink full of dirty dishes when the doorbell rang. She quickly washed and dried her hands while Timmy tried to open the locked door. “Wait for me, Timmy,” she called, unlocking the deadbolt and gently removing his hands from the knob. A delivery man stood on the porch steps, holding a huge bouquet of yellow and red roses in one hand and a clipboard in the other. “Yes?”

Aw, how sweet of Dustin. They would really cheer Lindy up. She took the clipboard and signed her name. He quickly handed the vase over and called out his goodbye.

Shivering against the cool breeze outside, she brought the bouquet inside and set it on the table. “Wow, Aunt Fis-a-tee! Are all those flowers for you?”

“Um . . .” Searching for the card, she grabbed it and pulled it out of its envelope. It read:

Felicity,

Sorry this is a day late. Just wanted to give you a little happiness of your own since you’re always giving it to others.

So they weren’t for Lindy. They were hers. But from whom? There was no signature. Odd. Certainly, if it had been from her mother, she would have let Felicity know. And the handwriting would have been fancier–swoopy. She didn’t recognize the handwriting of this person.

Dustin walked in the door and stopped when he saw the bouquet. “Whoa!”

“Whoa is right,” she quipped.

Coming closer, he read the card. “You have a secret admirer, eh?”

Felicity narrowed her eyes. “You mean you didn’t send this?” After her parents, Dustin was her next suspect.

Donna Hatch is the author of the best-selling “Rogue Hearts Series,” and a winner of writing awards such as The Golden Quill and the International Digital Award. A hopeless romantic and adventurer at heart, she discovered her writing passion at the tender age of 8 and has been listening to those voices ever since. She has become a sought-after workshop presenter, and also juggles freelance editing, multiple volunteer positions, and most of all, her six children (seven, counting her husband). A native of Arizona who recently transplanted to the Pacific Northwest, she and her husband of over twenty years are living proof that there really is a happily ever after.

A stolen Christmas kiss leaves them bewildered and breathless. A charming rogue-turned-vicar, Will wants to prove that he left his rakish days behind him, but an accidental kiss changes all his plans. His secret could bring them together…or divide them forever.

Holly has two Christmas wishes this year; finally earn her mother’s approval by gaining the notice of a handsome earl, and learn the identity of the stranger who gave her a heart-shattering kiss…even if that stranger is the resident Christmas ghost.

Will set the ladder near one of the columns and eyed the metal supports
bolted to the pillars on either side of the altar. Good. All was ready for the
candles to be placed for the Christmas service. Miss Gray moved like a dancer
amidst the pews, her slender, yet curvy form softly contrasting with the stone
walls. She was such a spot of cheer.

Raised to marry a lord. Not a vicar.

That same kicked-in-the-gut sensation returned. Muttering under his
breath, Will followed the rector into the vestry to collect the candles. He
hurried back, almost starving for Miss Gray’s presence. As they worked, Miss
Gray hummed The Holly and the Ivy.

Will listened to her sweet voice for a moment and couldn’t resist joining
in. Bradbury also sang with a strong bass that harmonized with the melody. Was
there anything that wretched lord didn’t do well? Will indulged in some very
un-Christian thoughts about the oh-so-perfect lord.

Mrs. Gray also sang, with a voice as lovely as her daughter’s. After a
moment, the cheery tunes lifted Will’s mood. Standing on the ladder, Will added
the extra candles needed for the Christmas service, then assisted in wrapping
the columns as Miss Gray had suggested.

In less than an hour, they transformed the humble parish church into a
celebratory Christmas haven, almost fit for a drawing room.

Will choked and laughed at the outrageous statement. Honestly, he agreed.
Lord Bradbury’s eyes widened. Mrs. Gray shot her daughter a withering look.

The poor girl flushed and bit her lip, looking down. “Erm, I mean…”

Mr. Appleby didn’t see the humor, either. “Adding such a pagan symbol as
mistletoe would no doubt create a public outcry and possibly have me removed
from my position as vicar.”

Of course, if Will could get Miss Holly Gray beneath a kissing ball….

Ahem.

For all intents and purposes, Will had given his word not to pursue her.
He reviewed his newfound resolve to cling to duty, to turn over a new leaf in
life, and to please his family by bringing honor rather than dishonor to the
Berry name. Keeping his word, duly given to a lady, fell squarely into that
resolve. No more romantic fantasies about Miss Gray.

Very well, he’d
avoid Holly Gray as much as possible without appearing to give her the cut. He
must resist talking to her or even looking at her. He must.

Of course, that
included ensuring that she never discover who had kissed her, which meant he
must continue an ungentlemanly deception.

Lauraine Henderson lives with her husband, dog and cat on 68 acres of woodland 40 miles north of Portland, Oregon. After growing up in Oregon, they moved their family of three children to Utah. From there they moved to Hawaii and Arizona, finally coming back to Oregon in 2015. Their three children, two girls and a boy are all grown and live across the United States.

After being a professional bookkeeper for over twenty years, she turned her hobby of writing into her first published novel in 2016. She loves to write inspirational romance and romantic comedy and hopes her readers will be both entertained and uplifted by her stories. When she’s not writing, she’s working her way through online university, loves to paint (watercolors, oils, and acrylics), sew, knit, crochet, make beaded jewelry, and read (of course!).

George Stone can’t wait for the Christmas season to be over and his employees, especially his executive assistant, Kathryn Gleason, focused once again on their work. When a missing report requires George to stop in at Kathryn’s parents’ home the day before Christmas Eve, he ends up as an unexpected guest. Between the haunting journals of his late grandfather and the unsettling dream of an unhappy future, George is swept away by the magic of Kathryn’s charm and her family’s love.

Will the Spirit of Christmas show George the happiness he’s missing and will Kathryn’s warmth and beauty melt his cold heart?

Had she ever seen George’s eyes sparkle like that? Maybe when he’d been
angry. But he wasn’t angry now and Kathryn pulled in a deep breath as she found
herself drawn into George’s deep brown eyes and matched their intensity.

Time slowed. “Oh!” Kathryn’s foot slipped and she fell back, landing
softly in the cold blanket of white. George relinquished his snowball, followed
her into the snow, and held himself above her while he shook cold, white
crystals from his knit hat over her face.

“Stop! Please. You win.” Kathryn laughed. “I give!”

“What do you give, Kathryn? What do I win?”

George asked so seriously, Kathryn had to look carefully to make sure
he was still teasing.

“What do you want, George?” Flirting wasn’t really her style, but he
brought out the tease in her.

George’s eyes flitted over her face, stopping at her eyes and then
moving on to her mouth. Her lips parted of their own accord and George leaned
in.

“Oomph!” George grunted when three little bodies all jumped on him and
pushed him against Kathryn. “I’m sorry. Are you hurt?” he asked in her ear,
barely above a whisper.

“I’m great,” she answered, the eyes glimmering back at him with
unfulfilled promises.

George licked his lips and pushed the kids off his back. Kathryn was
fairly certain she heard him say, “Later,” before he turned and pretended to
attack his assailants.

Even
though Gloria is determined to change her reputation, most of the
women in town still think she’s a tramp. Sure, she may have dressed
a little flashy and dated pretty much every single guy in town, but
that’s the past. Now that she wants to make a fresh start, will
Smithville give her a second chance?

Ned
has heard all the gossip, but being the Sheriff’s Deputy, he sees
all the kind things Gloria does behind the scenes for the folks of
Smithville. It looks like the upcoming Christmas Pageant will offer
him the opportunity to spend time with her, but can he overcome a
frustrating stutter and talk to her, face to face?

Your
favorite characters from the Hometown Series bring craziness, love,
and Smithville Christmas style, to a whole new romance about
overcoming your past and sharing your deepest secrets. Fall in love
and be swept away with the Christmas Eve celebration of your dreams.

Kirsten
grew up in the Western US and graduated from high school in
1984. She married soon there after and quickly built a family.
With three young children and number four on the way, she returned to
college in 1992. Her career as a draftsman included many settings
ranging from a steel fabrication shops to prestigious engineering
firms. Balancing family life with the workplace forced her to
become the queen of multitasking. In 2001, bored with the cubical
life, she moved on to teach drafting in technical college, then to
opening her own consulting firm teaching 3D engineering software. Due
to health problems, Kirsten retired in 2012 to travel with her
husband for his job. She now works writing romance novels and enjoys
spoiling her three grandchildren. Since 2017 Kirsten has lived and
worked full time in a 40′ travel trailer with her husband and her
little dog Bingo.

Ever
since raiders from the north began attacking villages, Lady Nicole
Montagna has known that defending her people would come at a
cost. The betrothal of her sister Chloe to a neighboring lord
seems the perfect solution, forging a powerful alliance. But
shortly before the wedding, Nicole is shocked to discover that her
sister is with child—and not by her husband-to-be. Now she
must make a choice. She has just hours to decide . . .

~Should
she tell her soldier brother—who will take swift, ruthless action
to ensure the family’s safety?

~Should
she hold her tongue, let her sister deceive her husband into
believing the child is his—and then hope Chloe can get away with
the lie?

~Should
she tell her family, hoping they will know the right thing to
do?

With
the help of a magic mirror, Nicole lives out each path, fighting to
protect herself and those she loves with the weapons she has: wits,
herbs, and fortitude. But no matter her cleverness, neither she nor
her family can escape unscathed—for there are repercussions she
could never have foreseen, involving her own heart . . .

A
CHOICE OF SECRETS

New
York Times bestselling
author Barb Hendee spins a tale of intrigue, integrity, and the bonds
of love and loyalty as one young woman finds her place in a turbulent
world . . .

Kara,
as a ward with no parentage and no future, has been raised knowing
nothing outside her lady’s chambers. Until Royce Capello, a
visiting nobleman, is struck by her ice-pale looks, and demands her
as payment for the land the family needs.

With
barely time to protest, Kara is sold and packed off for a life as a
concubine—until a raiding party descends on Royce’s company and
she’s kidnapped for the second time in as many days.

Whatever
happens, Kara will be alone in the world, inexperienced and fearing
even the vast unfamiliar sky. But one raider gives her a choice—and
a magic mirror appears to show her where each path will lead…

She
can leave with her protector Raven and journey with his performing
troupe, competing for his mercurial affections.

She
can flee the raiders’ settlement, and return to Royce’s manor,
chattel among devious nobility.

Or
she can stay in the settlement, bound to firm, silent Caine, who is
as gentle as he is staid and inscrutable.

Her
fates twist and turn to affect far more than she could have guessed,
tangling the bitter with the sweet—and Kara must choose which
consequences she can live with…

Olivia
Geroux knew her king was reluctant to marry her, whatever the
negotiations had arranged. But she never expected to find handsome,
arrogant King Rowan obsessed with his stepsister instead. And before
she can determine what course to take, she overhears her greatest
ally plotting to murder the princess.

Olivia
must act quickly—and live with whatever chaos results. As the
assassin hunts his prey, a magic mirror appears to show Olivia the
three paths that open before her . . .

If
she hesitates only a moment, the princess will die—and she will
become queen.

If
she calls for help, she will gain great power—but she must also
thrust away her own happiness.

If
she runs to stop the murder herself, she will know love and
contentment—but her whole country will suffer.

As
she lives out each path, her wits and courage will be tested as she
fights to protect her people, her friends, and her heart. And
deciding which to follow will be far from easy . . .

On
her seventeenth birthday, Megan of Chaumont discovers she’ll be
sold as a bride to the brutish Volodane family—within hours. Her
father grants only that she may choose which one of the ruthless,
grasping lord’s three sons she weds:

Rolf,
the eldest: stern, ambitious, and loyal?

Sebastian,
the second son: sympathetic, sly, and rebellious?

Or
Kai, the youngest: bitter, brooding, and proud?

As
shy, horrified Megan flees the welcome dinner for her in-laws-to-be,
she finds an enchanted mirror that will display how her life unrolls
with each man, as if she were living it out in a breath. But there is
no smooth “happily ever after” in her choices.

Deaths
and honors, joys and agonies, intrigues and escapes await her in a
remote, ramshackle keep, where these rough but complex men reveal one
side and then another of their jagged characters—and bring forth
new aspects of Megan, too. But the decisions of one teenaged
marriage-pawn reverberate much farther than any of them have guessed
. . .

Barb
Hendee is the New York Times bestselling author of The
Mist-Torn Witches series. She is the co-author (with husband J.C.) of
the Noble Dead Saga. She holds a master’s degree in
composition/rhetoric from the University of Idaho and currently
teaches writing for Umpqua Community College. She and J.C. live in a
quirky two-level townhouse just south of Portland, Oregon.

Despite
the attack that almost took her life, Emma Morgan has accepted the
risk that comes from being in love with an immortal like Liam
Alexander.

But
continuing to seek the approval of her older brother is a whole
different struggle, and when tensions finally reach a breaking point
between the siblings, looming enemies take advantage of the
distraction.

When
fate leads Emma Morgan back to her small hometown of Washington, she
learns that the life she knew three years ago has changed once she
meets the charmingly, mysterious Liam Alexander. But when her brother
Sean, voices his disapproval, Emma finds her loyalty in the way of
her newfound curiosity of the youngest Alexander. Only the more she
tries to avoid Liam the more she finds him in her constant
company.

A
risk that leads down a dangerous path once Emma begins to discover a
secret about the Alexanders that no human should ever know.

I
was never that child you found in the corner reading. In fact, I
loathed the idea of picking up a book. The activity seemed more of a
chore than a past time.

All that changed
when my brother began talking to me about the newest novel he was
reading.Harry
Potter and The Order of the Phoenix. Before
I knew it, my curiosity got the better of me, luring me to try the
series. It didn’t take long for my mindset of reading to turn on its
head.

But even with my new
hobby discovered it wasn’t until my junior year of college that I
developed a hidden desire for writing stories. And when I found
myself writing scenes instead of paying attention to my professors, I
knew becoming a writer was the career path I was meant to follow.